Overview

Issues of morality and values are among the most important questions we face-and the answers we give are central to our identity. They can also determine whether personal relationships flourish or fracture, whether teams at work cohere or collapse, and how we are perceived by our community. But moral- and value-laden questions often confound us, causing needless confusion or acrimony. In How Do You Know What's Right?, Cliff Stromberg offers thoughtful, practical advice about how to think about and discuss moral issues with those who matter in your life. Rather than simple, cookbook rules for being moral, this book provides powerful tools for exploring, thinking, problem-solving, and persuading. Stromberg draws widely from the insights of leading philosophers, psychologists, and experts on decision-making, creating a vivid picture of the moral frameworks we instinctively choose from, and the good and not-so-good results they can produce. He highlights the psychological features of morals and values that can lead us astray from our goals. And he explores the dynamics that can make it hard for political liberals and conservatives to discuss their differences constructively. Whether you confront moral and value issues in your work, family, friendships, or as an engaged citizen of our democracy, How Do You Know What's Right? will help you think more clearly about such challenges. It can help you create thoughtful dialogue rather than friction, and increase your chances of finding common ground with others.

Full Product Details

9781953943750

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Upbeat and uncynical, How Do You Know What's Right demystifies [how] we arrive at moral conclusions and lays out practical advice about the 'skillful reasoning and sensible problem solving' it takes . . . Stromberg's sweep is ambitious, [but he writes] with wit and a sure command over what will matter to lay readers.""-Publishers Weekly BookLife ""Thanks to the comprehensiveness of this work, readers will find illumination in virtually every chapter . . . An impressively thoughtful and detailed analysis of the ways in which moral structures originate and evolve.""-Kirkus Reviews ""This is an amazing book. It is a broad-ranging and deeply insightful discussion of morals and values. In these morally confusing times, I can think of no better resource on how to think morally-and how to argue about these matters with civility.""-Nathan O. Hatch, President Emeritus, Wake Forest University ""This is a great book-a book for our times-a book for all thinking men and women who struggle to do the right thing and be a good person in these troubled times of extreme polarization. Kudos to the author, who has synthesized moral theory, human psychology, and practical thought to help us make everyday moral decisions.""-Joseph Beck, former Managing Director, Raymond James ""At a time when our ability to communicate constructively feels strained, Stromberg's accessible survey of the moral frameworks underlying our deepest disagreements offers an important foundation for purposeful engagement.""-Joan Gabel, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh ""How Do You Know What's Right is a deeply thoughtful dissection of our most important ethical questions. It also stands alone as an elegant analysis, eloquently stated.""-Bryant Welch, J.D., Ph.D., former head of the Practice Directorate, American Psychological Association, and author of State of Confusion ""Stromberg masterfully explores the history and real-world applications of moral frameworks and value-driven interactions. He offers carefully crafted explanations, deeply probing questions, and pathways to influence others through moral arguments.""-Jeffrey Gold, M.D., President, University of Nebraska System ""If you find yourself arguing endlessly over what is fair, moral or ethical, I urge you to read Cliff Stromberg's book, which expertly and thoughtfully provides valuable suggestions for how we can improve respectful dialogue with one another, mindful that there are no perfect answers.""-Myron Frans, former head of Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, and former Vice President for Finance and Operations, University of Minnesota ""Reminding us of the many ambiguities inherent in our moral judgments, and providing a healthy dose of humility for the next time we jump to conclusions, Stromberg also throws us a timely anchor as we navigate this era of relativism, confirming the timeless hierarchy of acts over feelings in moral arguments.""-Jeffrey Balser, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Author Information

Cliff Stromberg attended public schools, won a National Merit Scholarship to attend Yale, from which he graduated summa cum laude, and a scholarship to Harvard Law School. He then served as law clerk to a federal judge. A few years later, the president appointed him as Deputy Executive Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing the policy coordination staff. He was later an advisor to the Federal Trade Commission. Cliff is the coauthor of several books and was the founding editor-in-chief of a monthly magazine on the health care industry. He served on the board and then was elected chair of the American Bar Association's Civil Rights and Social Justice Section. He also coached traveling AAU youth basketball teams for many years. Cliff is a partner in one of the world's largest law firms, and during his career he has advised many of the nation's leading universities, health care systems, and other health organizations. He has a lifelong passion for philosophy, science, and history.

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